NIBONG TEBAL – A raid by Penang Health Department officers on bean curd skin (foo chuk) factory in Bukit Tambun here saw the discovery of rat droppings, cockroaches and flies in addition to appalling condition of the premises.
The factory was not only found to have been operating illegally for the past 12 years but was once raided and ordered shut by the state Health Department for the same offence three years ago.
The Penang Health Department’s Food Safety and Quality Division health officer Mohd Wazir Khalid said the raid was carried out through intelligence and monitoring by his team since last month.
“During the raid, a foreign worker was found to have fled due to his lack of proper travel documents.
“We also believe the workers did not receive typhoid injections necessary to handle food products.
“Inspections at the factory found that there were many non-compliances and the environment of the premises was in a very unhygienic condition, while the foo chuk products produced did not have labels,” he said after conducting an operation at the factory here today.
During the inspection, Wazir said in addition to discovering rat droppings, cockroaches and flies at the foo chuk processing site, several dogs were also seen roaming the premises.
“We were told by the owner that this product… is not for the local market.
“However, we feel it is impossible for it not to be marketed in Penang at all because the manufacturing is being done here.”
Wazir said his offices issued three compound notices amounting to RM5,500 while the local government authorities also issued two notices on the owner of the factory.
He said the closure order for 14 days was made in accordance with Section 11 of the Food Act 1983.
“But we hope local authorities can take follow-up action (such as demolishing the premises) so this does not happen again,” he added. – The Vibes, October 27, 2021
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